but as erika miller explains, that doesn't necessarily mean americans are feeling better about their economic situation. >> reporter: four years ago, the financial crisis was getting worse and the global economy falling off a cliff. so it's no wonder many americans are feeling better about their financial situation now versus four years ago. >> i'm better off right now than i was four years ago by a long shot. >> i feel more comfortable, because i'm older, i have more of a vision of what i want for my future. >> reporter: but others say they're worse off, especially those living paycheck to paycheck or out of work. >> three years ago, i had a job. i've been disemployed for a year now. >> reporter: and plenty of other americans aren't exactly sure where they stand. >> i don't know if i have a lot to base it on; i'm just a couple of years out of school. >> reporter: a recent survey by wells fargo shows americans are almost evenly divided between feeling better about their situation, worse, and the same. >> every individual's circumstances are different. and as we talk to our clients, o